Why Teesdale is the UK’s Most Undiscovered Countryside Escape
Remarkable countryside, beautiful villages, spectacular waterfalls and very few crowds. Teesdale is one of the finest countryside destinations in England, and it is still one of the best-kept secrets in the north.
Ask most people to name the great countryside destinations of England and they will reach for the usual answers: the Lake District, the Cotswolds, the Yorkshire Dales. All wonderful, of course, but also increasingly busy and well-trodden. What is far less well known is that County Durham’s Teesdale valley offers scenery and experiences to match any of them, with a fraction of the visitors.
We may be a little biased, but we genuinely believe Teesdale is one of the finest countryside escapes in England. Here is why.
The Scenery is Remarkable
The landscape of Teesdale is shaped by the Great Whin Sill, a band of ancient volcanic rock that runs beneath the hills and creates the dramatic cliffs and waterfalls for which the valley is famous. High Force, where the River Tees drops 21 metres in a spectacular rush of white water, is England’s most powerful waterfall and one of the most impressive natural sights in the country. But it is just one of many extraordinary spots to discover across the valley.
Above the falls, the moorland opens out into a vast, open landscape of heather, blanket bog and sky. In spring, the rare Teesdale flora, including Arctic Alpine plants found nowhere else in England, turns the meadows into something truly special. It is a landscape that rewards those willing to explore on foot, and we would say that some of the finest walking in England is right on our doorstep.
The Villages are Genuinely Beautiful
Teesdale’s villages are among its greatest treasures. Middleton-in-Teesdale is the main town in the upper valley, with a good range of shops, pubs and services. But it is the smaller villages that really capture the imagination. Mickleton, Cotherstone, and above all Romaldkirk, which is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful villages in England, offer a glimpse of countryside life at its very best.
Romaldkirk, with its 12th-century church of St Romald, its pretty village green and the wonderful Rose and Crown pub, is exactly the kind of place that makes you want to slow down and stay a little longer. We are very fortunate to call it home.
It Is Wonderfully Uncrowded
Perhaps the biggest surprise for guests visiting Teesdale for the first time is just how peaceful it is. While other countryside destinations can feel overwhelming on busy weekends and bank holidays, Teesdale retains a genuine sense of calm and space. You can walk for miles without meeting another soul, enjoy a pub lunch without queuing, and explore the countryside at a pace that actually feels like a proper holiday.
That is, we think, a very precious thing, and one of the main reasons so many of our guests tell us they will be coming back.
Barnard Castle is a Wonderful Hub
Every great countryside area needs a good market town, and Barnard Castle fits the bill perfectly. With its impressive medieval castle overlooking the River Tees, the extraordinary Bowes Museum and a lively independent food and retail scene, it offers more than enough to fill a day and keep you very well fed and entertained in the process.
There Is So Much to Do
Teesdale genuinely offers something for everyone. Walkers will find miles of well-marked footpaths across the North Pennines, from gentle riverside strolls to longer moorland hikes along the Pennine Way. History lovers will be kept busy with Barnard Castle, Egglestone Abbey and the city of Durham just over an hour away. Those who simply want to relax can do exactly that, enjoying the peace and beauty of the valley from the comfort of The Stables.
It is the kind of destination where you arrive thinking you know what to expect, and leave wondering why you have not been coming for years.
Where to Stay
For a luxury self-catering break in Teesdale, The Stables at Romaldkirk Hall offers a wonderful base in the heart of the valley. Nestled in the beautiful village of Romaldkirk, The Stables sleeps up to 6 guests across 3 en-suite bedrooms and is the perfect place from which to explore everything that Teesdale has to offer. Book direct at rkstables.co.uk.
